Aimpoint Micro H-1 Red Dot Sight
Ed Johnson 01.16.12
One thing I have learned in my many years of hunting and fishing is that things change (including my eyesight)! Techniques change, equipment changes and we slow down, while everything else seems to be speeding up. Technology has certainly had its effect when it comes to hunting accessories. The improvements in optics are a prime example. While at a recent outdoor conference I was introduced to Aimpoint Red Dot sights. I had been asked to review one of Aimpoint’s new products, the Micro H-1.
I had never used red dot technology up to this point and was anxious to put the Micro H-1 to use when I received it. I was leaving on a wolf hunting trip to Ontario shortly after receiving the Micro H-1, so I mounted it on my Ruger 10/22LR. In Ontario, you are only allowed to hunt wolf with a 22LR rifle unless you possess a big game license such as bear or moose. Although the wolf hunt was a tremendous experience, I did not have the opportunity of taking a shot at this crafty creature. When I got back to Missouri I started thinking SQUIRRELS! That would be a great test for the Micro H-1.
I had spent quite a bit of time sighting the Micro sight in and it was dead on at 50 yards! With my Ruger 22LR being so light weight, I had to really sandbag it down to hold it steady as the red dot is very sensitive when using the adjustment dials. Wind and elevation adjustments are very critical with the red dot but once I was familiar with the adjustments it was easy to put the sight movement where you wanted it. I could just see that little bright red dot on an unsuspecting squirrel!
Prior to my first squirrel hunt, I got in some good practice on some walnuts that were still clinging up in the tree. The clarity and brightness of the red dot was amazing! I could adjust the brightness with just a quick turn of the dial on the side of the sight. Those walnuts never had a chance! I was impressed with the fact that I did not have to close one eye to see the red dot. By having both eyes open I had a full field of view which helped me to see those gray squirrels up in the trees of the Ozarks oak canopy. I noticed that the Micro H-1 made a big difference in the speed at which you can get the dot on your target. With fast moving squirrels, even a moving shot is made easier! This was just plain fun! Squirrel and dumplings were on the menu!
- Light weight and adaptable to any light rifle, pistol, or bow!
- Completely waterproof to 15 feet!
- Withstands harsh elements
- 50,000 hours battery life
- Allows for quick sighting
- Only weighs 84 gr and 105 gr with mounts
- Easy adjustment for windage and elevation with protective caps that fit into holes on adjustment screws. No special tools required
Hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, is no stranger to Ed Johnson. Groomed in the outdoors by a grandfather and two uncles, since he was a small child, with a fly rod in one hand, and a bow in the other, Ed has 50 years of bow hunting experience behind him. He has record bow kills in the Safari Club International record books with a collection of some 60 mounts and has taken 17 species with bow in Africa. He has received awards for North America's Top Ten and Goats of the World and Wild Sheep of the World.
He is a member of Safari Club International, Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), North American Hunting Club, NWTF, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, ICAST, and retired co-founder and owner of the Bass Pro Crappie Masters All American Tour. Ed still maintains his status as a professional photographer and is an avid freelance writer for numerous outdoor publications. He was featured in several hunting videos with Roger Raglin, and On The Water and In the Woods, with Cody and Cody. He serves on the pro staff and pro staff review board for Commando Hunting Products and is senior adviser and consultant and Trusted Expert Pro Staffer for Trusted Outdoor Gear and OutdoorHub.com
His love for the Ozark whitetail and old tom turkey is still his passion. Ed is quite active in promoting the outdoors and enjoys sharing hunts with others, especially first timers! His mission in life is to expose people, young and old, to this great pastime of hunting and fishing. Each year he takes a group into Ontario for bear hunting and fishing. In a time when it is getting more difficult to get kids exposed to nature, Ed believes all outdoors men and women, can and will play an important role in helping to expose more children to the outdoors. The bottom line….our hunting industry future. Ed has coined the phrase "teach a child to hunt and fish and you will never have to hunt the child"!
